Cloth-piler.



1A S. JOHNSTON.

CLOTH PiLER.

APPLICATION FILED DEc.6.1911.

LQMS@ Patented Mayfl, 1111.7. Z0 2 SHEETS-$11551 1.v

ENFER@ STATES PATENT @FFQR JAMES S. JOHNSTON, OF UTICA, NEW YORK.

CLOTH-PILER.

Application filed December 6, 1911.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES S. JOHNSTON, a citizen of the United States, residing in Utica, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Cloth-Pilers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to a machine for handling fabrics after same have been manufactured. rl`hemachine embodies mechanism whereby to convert great lengths of the fabric into portions of lesser dimension and to direct cutting instrumentalities between each two layers to sever or cut through the bight so as to form independent lengths of fabric. There is also mechanism to hold the lengths in place after being eut. These functions are performed automatically and without any loss of material.

Other features will be disclosed by reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a side elevation of a table, a fabric carrying and cutting instrumentality, and mechanism f or operating same.

Fig. 2 illustrates an enlarged detail view of a practical means for supporting the cutting mechanism, and the bolt or roll of fabric to be laid out;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the means for operating the cutting mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of the guides;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the device, showing parts in elevation;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective View of a member for mounting sprockets;

Fig. 7 is a perspective detail of a member employed in connection with the member shown in Fig. 6, for holding the sprockets in assembled position.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a table is represented by 4, which is supported by the legs 5. There is mounted for longitudinal reciprocal action on the table 4, a frame work comprising the uprights 6 and the cross plate 7, upon which latter part is supported a motor 8 wired through the guides 9. The wires are ,so convoluted about the spring actuated roller Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1, 1917.

Serial No. 664,213.

10, mounted in the brackets 11 secured to the table 4, that as the frame is reciprocated, the wires 12 and 13 respectively lengthen or shorten in accordance with the position of the motor 8 with respect to the roller 10.

The motor 8 is provided with a sprocket wheel 14 keyed to the armature shaft 15. The power generated by the motor 8 is transferred by means of a chain 16 to a corresponding sprocket wheel 17, located on a shaft 13, having bearings in the uprights 6. @n each end of the shaft 18, there is disposed another and larger sprocket wheel 19, which wheels coperate with the chains 2O that pass also over the sprocket wheels 2l mounted on the shafts 22 having bearings in the members 80-80 that are attached to the uprights 6 by means of the bolts 8l. There is also mounted on each of the shafts 22, on the ends opposite to that on which the sprocket wheels 21 are mounted, or on the inner side of the uprights 6, the gear wheels 22a, which mesh with the elongated racks 23 formed along the underside of the upper edges of the table 4. The lower surfaces of the uprights 6 rest in the guideways 24 formed upon each side of the top surface of the table 4.

The uprights 6 are each provided with the recess 34 in which is mounted the sliding member 35. The members 35 are conlined to a vertical reciprocal motion in the recesses 34 by the guideways formed on each lateral edge of the members 35. Likewise, the members 35 have the recesses 36 in which are mounted the sliding bearings 37 confined to a vertical reciprocal motion in said recesses 36 by the keys or projections 90-90 adapted to fit into the corresponding guideways formed in the edges of the sliding bearings 37. The bearings 37 support the shafts 38 secured to the frame 39 which embodies the knives 40-40 mounted at each end of the bars 91-91 and the rollers 54 mounted at each end of the arms 52, which are formed of a given material adapted to permit the ends thereof holding the rollers 54 to yield. rlhe frame 39 is adapted for a rotating movement, whereby to deliver the knives or cutters 40 to a position of action between the two layers 0f fabric, so as to sever the bight or bend between said layers in order to separate the one from the other, as well as to prevent any waste of the goods in the cutting operation.

For the purpose of causing the frame 39 to rotate at the proper intervals or in the proper time with the other operations of the device, there is provided a bevel gear wheel 41 keyed on one of the shafts 38, see Fig. 3. The bevel gear wheel 41 meshes with the bevelv gear wheel 44v mounted upon a vertical reciprocating shaft 45 splined to the hol.- low shaft 46 journaled in a bracket 46a secured to one of the uprights 6. The gear wheel 47 is secured to the lower end of the hollow shaft 46. The employment of the hollow shaft 46 permits the shaft 45, which is connected to one of the shafts 38 by a: collar- 70 to rise andfall or lower, whereby the gear wheel 44 secured thereto will be always in mesh with the gear wheel 41 of the frame 39.

The cutter frame 39 is so constructed that when the same is in normal cutting position, it would describe a radius that would interfere with the top of the table 4. To guard against such a contingency, the bearings 37 are adapted to move in a vertical manner. rTherefore, when the gear wheel 47 is operated, as when it comes into mesh with the racks 57O located at each end of the table 4, to in turn operate the gear wheel 44 and the gearwheel 41, and thereby the frame 39, the bearings 37 will be elevated in the guide recesses 36 immediately the frame 39 begins to turn. The elevating of the frame 39 is effected by providing the same with the cams 48, which are so disposed as to come into engagement with the stop 49 mounted on the member 35, when actuated by the frame 39. Plural stops 49 are provided, in order that the same will cause the frame 39 to lift and lower in both positions of the rotated frame. As the frame 39 is elevated or lo-wered, the gear wheel 44 will continue in mesh with the gear wheel 41, by reason of the shaft construction heretofore described. The cutting mechanism, as a whole, may need to be elevated, as the pile or stack of goods increases in height. This can be effected by means of the movable members 35.

The cutting frame 39 is provided with means for receiving the shaft or spindle 92 upon which the bolt yor roll of goods is mounted. This means comprises a socket 50 formed in a ring 51 secured to the frame 39. There is also a socket 50 on the opposite side of the frame 39.

In order that the frame work of the uprights 6 may be longitudinally reciprocatedalong the table 4, there is secured'to one of4 the uprights 6, the members 29l and 30 adapted to slide alongthe rod 26, which is held|` in place members 28-28 of the table 4. The member 29 is adapted to engage, while moving in one direction, the adjustable collar or sleeve 31 and thereby actuate the rod 26 a given distance in a longitudinal manner, suflicient to throw the switch 25, and thereby reverse the action of the motor 8 on the shaft 15, so that the uprights will begin a return movement. Likewise, the member 30 is adapted to contact with the portion 96 of the gage 56o which is held in position by the adjustable collar 32,to thereby move the rod 26 a given distance in the opposite direction, sufficiently to throw the switch 25 and again reverse the motor 8, to return the uprights 6.

When it is found desirable to stop the actuation or movement of the uprights 6, a handle 33fisy provided for partially rotating the rod 26, whereby to withdraw the switch from its circuit contacts. Y

There is lmounted upon the table 4, at

points determined by adjustment in accordance with desire, the gages o and '560 adapted to hold the varied lengths of fabric in position in the table 4. Although either or both gages may, be adjusted,l ordinarilyl only one, as 55, need be adjusted after once being set. The other may bejdisposed anywhere along the table 4, and secured by a fastening device 57. Each one of the gages 55o and` 56o is provided with a ratchet rack 57 o, that is ofsufficient length to turn the gear wheel 47 and the frame 39 to permit the knives 40to perform their work. When one of the knives 40 has made a cut at one end ofl a reciprocatiomthe frame 39 will turn over and permit the opposite knife 40 to pass into or between two more layers of thefabric, as they are formed by further and reversedreciprocations. The gages 55o and 56 are eachl provided with a bar 58 beveled along the upper edge thereof, and provided with suitable fabric gripping means, as serrations 5,9, whereby to not only insure the entry and taking of the goods after the same has been cut by the knives 40,- but also to hold the cut ends. In connection with the bar 58, there is a movable bar 61, operating in the guideways 6() and controlled by the springs 62. The bars 58 and 61 serve the function of clamping the layers of fabric in position after they have been cut by the knives 40.

The operation of the machine is effected by disposing the ends-of the shaft- 92, upon which is mounted the roll of goods 56, in the sockets 50,.formed in the rings 51, secured to the frame 39. One end of the fabric 56 is then placed between the bars 58 and 61 ofone of the gages, to be held therein. The motor 8 is started and the handle 33 turned to partially rotate the rod 26 to throw the switch 25 into circuit` with the by the loose bearings in the end motor 8. The motor 8 will revolve the shaft 15 and consequently the sprocket wheel 14, the sprocket chain 16, the sprockets 19, the chains 20 and the gear wheels 22, which mesh with the elongated racks 23 formed along the underside of the upper edges of the table 4, whereby the frame, comprising the uprights 6, will travel longitudinally of the table 4. While the frame is thus traveling, one of the rollers 54 will be pushing against the fabric 56, slightly in advance of one of the knives 40, as seen in Fig. 1. `When the frame comprising the uprights 6 reaches the location of the gage 560, the gear wheel 47 will mesh with the rack 57o and run idly therealong until the frame begins to return on its former movement. As the frame returns, the gear wheel 47 will revolve the hollow shaft 46 and thereby the bevel gear wheels 44 and 41, and the frame 39 to thereby bring the opposite roller 54 and the knife 40 into contact with the upper surface of the fabric 56. Just before the frame comprising the uprights 6 begins to return, however, the roller 54 will abut against the rod 61 and because of the yielding nature of the arms 52, supporting the roller 54, will permit the knife 40 to project the fabric 56 between the bars 58 and 61 and cut the same. Immediately the frame comprising the uprights 6 begins to return, the knife 40 will be withdrawn from between the bars 58 and 61. The bar 61 will automatically close down and hold the ends of the fabric 56 thus cut. The return of the frame comprising the uprights 6 is caused by the striking of the member 30. thereof against the lower portion 96 of the gage 56o and thereby moving the rod 26 longitudinally, so as to automatically shift the switch 25 from the direct circuit to the reverse circuit, whereby to reverse the action or rotation of the motor 8. At the opposite end of the table 4, the frame will be again returned upon its former direction, after the fabric has been similarly cut and held by the knife 40 and the bars 58 and 61 of the gage 550, by means of the striking of the member 29 against the collar 81 rigidly held to the rod 26, to thereby move the rod 26 longitudinally to again shift the switch 25. As the pile of cut fabric on the table 4 increases in height, the members 35 carrying the sliding bearings 37 and the cutter frame 39 will move up in the recess 34 of the uprights 6, whereby to elevate the frame 39. The operation will continue until stopped by the partial rotating of the shaft 26 by means of the handle 33, so as to withdraw the switch 25 from its Contact.

Having thus described my invention what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. ln a cloth piler, the combination of a table, a frame reciprocally mounted upon said table, a second frame supporting knives and bodily movably mounted in a vertical manner relative to said first named frame, sockets carried by said second frame, whereby to hold a roll of cloth, means for causing said first named frame to reciprocate, whereby the roll of cloth may be piled upon said table in layers, bars and other bars movable relative to said first named bars, whereby to hold said layers upon said table.

2. ln a cloth piler, the combination of a table, a frame movably mounted upon said table, bearings slidingly mounted in said movable frame, shafts carried by said bearings, a frame having knives supported by said shafts, a bevel gear on said frame having knives, a bevel gear in mesh with said bevel gear on said frame having knives, a shaft for supporting said second named bevel gear, a hollow shaft to which said shaft is splined, a sprocket wheel on said hollow shaft, ratchet racks adapted to engage with said sprocket wheel, whereby to turn said bevel gears and said frame having knives, so as to position said knives to cutthe bight between the layers of fabric spread upon said table.

3. In a cloth piler, the combination of a table, a frame reciprocally mounted upon said table, bearings slidingly mounted in said movable frame, other bearings located i within said sliding bearings, shafts carried by said last named bearings, a frame having knives supported by said shafts, sockets formed upon said frame having knives, whereby to detachably mount a spindle for carrying a fabric, a bevel gear on said frame having knives, a bevel gear in mesh with said bevel gear on said frame, a shaft for supporting said second named bevel gear, a iollow shaft to which said shaft is splined, a sprocket wheel on said hollow shaft, ratchet racks adapted to engage with said sprocket wheel, whereby to turn said bevel gears and said frame having knives, so as to position said knives to cut the bight between the layers of fabric spread upon said table, and means for holding said layers in place on said table.

4. ,In a cloth piler, the combination of a table, a frame reciprocally mounted upon said table, bearings slidingly mounted in said movable frame, other bearings located within said sliding bearings, shafts carried by said last named bearings, a frame having knives, supported by said shafts, sockets formed upon said frame having knives, whereby to detachably hold a spindle for carrying a fabric, a bevel gear on said frame having knives, a bevel gear in mesh with said bevel gear on said frame, a shaft for supporting said second named bevel gear, a hollow shaft to which said shaft is splined,

a sprocket wheel on said hollow shaft, springs, whereby to hold the layers of fabratohet racks adapted to engage with said rio in place on said table. 10 sprocket wheel, whereby to turn said bevel Signed at Utica, Oneida county, New gears and said frame having knives, so as to York, this 1st day of December, 1911.

position said knives to out the bight between JAMES S. JOHNSTON. the layers of fabric spread upon said table, Witnesses:

a serrated bar, and a second bar held nor- DAVID B. LIsLE,

mally against said first named bar by SAMUEL SLOAN.

Uopies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

